Mechanism actuated by a hot bearing.



J. MOWILLIAMS & M. B. GLEELAND.

MECHANISM AOTUATBD BY A HOT BEARING.

APPLIGATION FILED DEG. 3, 1910.

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

FIG.'2.

INVENTORS 2 My UNITED STATES T OFFICE JOHN MCWILLIAMS, OF EAST MCKEESPORT, AND MERRILL E. CLEELAND, OF WEST HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA.

MECHANISM ACTUATED BY A HOT BEARING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 20, 1912.

Application filed December 3, 1.910. Serial No. 595,369.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, J OHN MCWILLIAMS, of East McKeesport, and MERRILL E. GLEE- LAND, of \Vest Homestead, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanism Actuated by a Hot Bearing, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide efficient means for calling attention to a hot bearing of a steam engine, dynamo, or other machine before the heat has become so great as to injure either the bearing or the journal.

In the preferred adaptation, heat generated in the bearing is utilized for operating a thermostat which in turn actuates a signal such as an electric lamp, or an electrically operated bell, or both, the expansive movement of the thermostat closing the signal operating circut. Also, means operated by heat generated in the bearing may be utilized for effecting the closing of the steam supply pipe, as when the apparatus is applied to a steam engine, or to the gas supply of a gas engine, or other machine-stoping means, to a standstill beforethe bearing can be seriously injured. The machine stopping means is preferably employed in connection with signal means of the kind to which reference has been made, the arrangement being such that the signal means is operated so that when attention of any one is attracted to the bearing the difliculty may be remedied without stopping the machine. But with the development of a higher heat, more than is required to operate the signal, the machine stoppin mechanism is brought into action by furt er movement of the thermostat due to such higher heat.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is an elevation of the improvement shown applied to the bearing of a steam engine, portions of the apparatus being shown diagrammatically in connection with a machine stopping means operating on a valve which controls the steam supply. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the thermostat, its inclosing casing, and the circuit making and breaking terminals.

Referring to the drawings, 2 designates a journal of an engine, and 3'the bearing there for. A recess 4 is formed in the bearing which extends inwardly toward journal 2 thereby bringing the machine so as to be within the zone of any heat generated in the bearing. In the present adaptatlon a tubular casing 5 is removably entered 1n recess 4, the casing being closed at its upper end by head 6 of insulating material.

Secured to the upper portion of easing 5 is the metallic base 7, and rising therefrom is board 8. Mounted on this board is the elec trically operated hell 9, also an electric lamp 10. Both the bell and the lamp are included in an electric circuit 11, one terminal of which is connected to binding post 12 on base 7, and the other terminal to post 13 mounted on head 6. Depending from post 13 into casing 5 is the spring contact member 14.

Within thetubular casing and secured at its lower end thereto is the bowed thermostatic device which may consist of an inner copper strip 15 and an outer iron strip 16. The lower bowed end of the thermostat extends downwardly toward the extremity of casing 5, while its upper free portion slightly overlaps the contact member or circuit breaker 14, the free portion of the thermostat carrying an adjustingscrew 17 whereby the thermostat may be caused to move a greater or less distance before said screw engages contact 14, the casing being provided with opening 18 in the plane of the screw for conveniently adjusting it. With one terminal of the circuit in metallic connection with the casing through posts 12 and base 7, it will be seen that the circuit will be closed when screw 17 engages contact member 14, thus ringing bell 9 and lighting lamp 10. It will be understood that the adjustment will be such that these signals will be given whenever the heat generated in the bearing approaches the danger point, the lower end of tube 5 being open so that the air therein will be in direct contact with the bearing at a point adjacent the journal.

While both the bell and the lamp are preferably used, and are by preference located on board 8 so that the main port-ions of the attachment are assembled in one struc ture and may be readily applied to and retend the circuit wires as far as such arrangement may necessitate.

:20 indicates the supply pipe of an engine of which 2 is one of the bearings, and 21 is a valve for closing said pipe, the valve stem 22 being provided with a spring 23 for automatically closing the valve. Mounted on the valve stem isthe ratchet wheel 24 which is engaged by dog 25 carried by the solenoid core 26, the dog 25 being normally in engagement \vitlrratchet 24; and holding the valve open against the tension of spring 23. An electric circuit 27 extends to the solenoid 26, its terminals connecting with binding posts 28 and 29, mounted on head 6. EX-

tending downward into casing 5 from post 28 is a circuit breaking spring contact member 30, while depending from post 29 into the casing is the metallic arm 31. Parts 30 and 31 are spaced apart slightly and are in transverse line with the contact member 14. An adjustable screw 32 is carried by arm 31 for varying the throw of spring contact 30.

In the present adaptation, if bearing 2 does not receive attention as the result of the signal given upon the closing of circuit 11, the further lateral movement of the thermostat, due to the increasing heat, will vcrowd the insulating block 33, carried by contact 14 against the spring-contact 30 and force the latter against screw 82, thus closing circuit 27 and energizing the solenoid coil with the result that core 26' thereof is retracted, and with dog 25 withdrawn from ratchet 24, valve 21 is closed by the action of spring 23 and steam is shut ofi from the engine.

It will be understood that this engine stopping mechanism is only one of many adaptations, and that such mechanism need not necessarily cooperate with a valve, as various means are used for stopping and starting many types of machines which means may be controlled by the closing of an electric circuit through the medium of heat generated in a bearing. While the adaptation shown is a desirable one for both actuating a signal and for bringing the machine to a standstill if the signal is not Iiieeded, the signal mechanism may be used a one.

The attachment is very simple and operates with certainty and by means thereof much damage to costly machines may be averted.

WVe claim 1. The combination of a. machine provided with a journal bearing, machine-stopping mechanism, a signal, a thermostat actuated by heat generated in the bearing, means operated by the thermostat for actuating the signal, and means actuated by the thermostat when under a greater heat than that required for the signal for actuating the machine stopping mechanism.

2. The combination of a machine having a journal bearing, mechanism for stopping the machine, a thermostat exposed to the action of heat generated in the journal bearing, an alarm device, two normally openelectric circuits-one for the signal device and the other for the machine-stopping mechanism, and circuit breakers adapted to be closed by the thermostat for energizing both circults.

3. The combination of a machine havinga journal bearing, machine-stopping mechanism, a thermostat exposed to heat generated in the journal bearing, an electric circuit for operating the signal device and another circuit for actuating the machinestopp1ng mechanism, and normally open circuit breakers adapted to be closed by the thermostat, the circuit for the signal device arranged to close in advance of the circult for the machine-stopping mechanism.

In testimony whereof we affiX our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN MGWILLIAMS. MERRILL E. GLEELAND. Witnesses:

ELIAS H. PALMER, FRANK B. STEWART. 

